Can opener



Jan. 8, 1935. p. c". WEST f 1,986, 70

CA N OPENER Filed Nov. 4, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 llll l Imfeng M c. ww

8, 5- P. c. WEST ,986,870

CAN OPENER Fil d Nov. 4, 19:52 2 Shota-Sheet 2 V'MMA-K/ Patented Jan. 8,1935 y 1 t UNITED STATES PATENT OF'F-ICIE,

1, 386,870- oAN- OPENER t Preston-C. West, Chicago, 111. ApplicationNovember 4, 1932, SerialNo, 641,172 r 20 Claims. (01; 3o---3) Myinvention relates to can openers of the type operating crank and theeccentric lever also adapted to be clamped readily in position on abroken away for clearness-of illustration; can so as to be used forhandling'the can as well Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken at lineas for removing the top therefrom, and 'itis one 3 -3 of Fig. 1; v r r 5of the objects of my invention to provide an im- Fig. 4'is a crosssectional view taken at line 5 proved arrangement of this type wherebythe can 44 of Fig. 2; l T may be controlled and held in upright positionFig. 5 is a top plan view of the parts as-shown with the utmost ease forthe cutting operation and in Fig. 1, partly broken away; may then belifted and tipped advantageously for Fig. 6'is a side face view of theprincipal frame emptying the can without the necessity for any member ofthe'deviee, with a portion shown in 10 handling other than through themedium of the cross sectioni opengn t is th object of my invention tFig. 7 is a vertical cross sectional view taken provide a new andimproved form and arrangeat th e 7- o F ment of cooperatingparts foreffecting the cutting 3 is a p p w Of the frame. member 5 operation, byreason of which the operator may Shown in 6, broke ay at On end;

be enabled to apply the opener quickly and easily 9 is a V ew O a p Of td e as Sh wn in position without too much nicety with respect in Fig. 6but illustrating the pp e face; to the positioning of the partsrelatively to the- F g. 10 is a side face view of the eccentric bearbeadof the can, by reason of which the device ns r and the ope i l v r h r fr, 2 may grip the can ver firmly without danger of being p rtly br kenaw y and p r ly in e accidental release from the can during the open= 11is a p p View Of the P Shown ing operation or thereafter, by reason ofwhich the' In i cutting operation may be effected quicklyand exs- 12-18a v al r ss s ti n t r u th peditiously. by reason of which the lid ofthe can upper p n of a which has its p may be lifted automatically so asto be grasped Stehtiellyeempletely Cut therefrom, being by the operatorat the end of the cutting operastehtially a Section taken 1113011 anenlarged Sca tion and by reason of which the device can be at the lineof but with the Opener easily'released from the can when desired.removed from the It is one of the objects of my invention to pro- 13 isa p pec V w Of a can With my vide an improved arrangement of parts ofsuch improved opener in operative position thereon, 30 construction andsuch interrelationship to each showing the top substantially mp et y cum other as to enable me to produce the parts largethe can and raised inangular Position 50 a W 1y by die casting and screw machine operationsbetgraspettby the Operator, the handle and leVeI with a very little bitof machining necessary on being partlally boken away;

the cast parts for fitting and assembling the parts 14 15 Vertlcalthrough 35 into a fini hed product adapted to operate in a improveddevice taken substantially at theline highly satisfactory manner. It isanother object f of E and of my invention to provide such an arrangement15 i a y f fragmgntary p of of the parts as to enable me toassemble theparts my evme i opet'atlve posmon r a can which is shown in section. 40with utmost ease without the use of any comph- Refer-ring now to theseveral figures of the special appemtue r drawings, in whichcorresponding parts are indi- It 15 another Object of my mventlon toImprove cated by the same reference characters. 20 indidevices of thistype in sundry details hereinafter Oates the main frame member providedwith 4.3 pointed out? The preferred means by which I circular groove 21in its top face as shown in Fig.

have accomplished my several objects are illus- 6 in which is revohlblymounted a bearing trated in the drawings and are hereinafter speher 22in t form of a drum as is t Shown cifically described. ThatwhichIbelieve tobe new in Figs. 10 and 11. As is clearly shown in Fig.and desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth '14, th bearingmembers 20 d 22 are t in the claims. tially completely surrounded by aframe member 50 In the drawings,- 1 V y 23 in the form of a loop made offiat spring metal Fig. 1 is a side face'view of my improved debent intoshape for holding the members 20 and vice. the handle being broken awayat one end; 22in operative relation to each other. As shown Fig. 2 isaview similar to Fig. 1,but with certain in Fig. 11, the cylindricalblock or drum 22 is of the parts in changed position, and with theprovided with, a circumferential groove 24 there- 55 about, and as isshown in Fig. 6 the member is provided with a rib arrangedcircumferentlally of the groove 21. The arrangement is such that whenthe drum 22 is positioned in one end a of the loop 23 as shown in Fig.14, the member 20 can be pushed into position between the drum and theopposite end of the loop as shown in said Fig. 14, the loop 23 beingadapted to yield outwardly to the necessary extent for permitting therib 25 to snap intoengagement with the groove 24, as shown in Figs. 3and 4; The arrangement is such also that when the rib 25 has been thusbrought into engagement with the groove 24, themembers 20 and 22 areheld yieldingly in transverse position .in the loop with sufllcientforceto prevent accidental disengagement of the parts. inuse.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the body memberv -'the socket being providedwith longitudinally extending ribs 31 at intervals thereabout, as isshown in Figs. 6 and 7, for holding the handle member 30 from rotarymovementwithin the socket. The body member 20 is provided with anopening 32 therethrough which is obliquely disposed both horizontallyand vertically with respect to the directly transverse axis of saidmember, as shown in Figs. 6, 8 and 9. At the far side of the device asshown in Fig. 8, an extended hearing portion 33 is provided beyond theadjacent portions of the side face of the member for providingadditional support for the drum 22 at this point. I

.As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the drum 22 is provided with a handle. orlever 34 extending from one side, the drum and lever in the arrangementshown being formed integrally with each other I in the form of acasting. The drum 22 is proone of such openings having a trendbackwardly toward the right in Fig. 8 and the other having a trendforwardly towardthe left in said 11. As viewed in plan, see particularlyFigs; 8 and 11, the shaft openings 32-and 35 diverge from each othertoward the can gripping rollers and the cutting element to bepresentlydescribed. When the parts are in cooperative working position, the

' shaft openings 32 and 35 as seen in Fig. 4 converge toward the side ofthe device carrying the can gripping and cutting means.

. The arrangement is such that the lever 34 is adapted to .fit down overthe socket portion 26 and the adjacent portion of the handle 30, beingof channel formation for effecting this result.

The arrangement is such also that the, lever 34 can alternatively beswung upwardly and toward the left from the position as shown in Fig. 1for.

rotating the drum 22, the-web portion of the lever 34 serving as a stopfor limiting the stroke of the lever by engagement with theface of thespring loop 23 as indicated in Fig. 2. As will be appreciated by aninspection of Fig. 3, the extended bearing portion 33 projects outwardlybeyond the side face of the lever 34, providing support for the drum 22opposite and outwardly beyond the side connecting portions by which thebody of the lever is connected with said drum 22.

- As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, short shafts 36 and 37 are revolublymounted in the openings 35 and 32 respectively transversely of thedevice, such shafts having gears 38 and 39 mounted thereon in positionto intermesh as shown in said figures In the arrangement shown, the gear38 is formed integrally with a crank 40 by which power is applied forrotating the gear, the gear and crank beingin the form of a castingabout the end of the shaft 36, the end of the shaft being scoredlongitudinally and grooved circumferentially for providing a firmconnection between the parts, said gear 38, shaft 36, and crank 40 beingthus connected in compact strong unit formation. The gear 39 in thearrangement shown is secured upon the end of the shaft 37 by means ofscrew threads.

At their ends located toward the right in Figs. 3 and 4, the shafts 36and 37 are provided with oppositely disposedrollers 41 and42respectively, the roller 41 being secured upon the upper shaft 36 bymeans of screw threads, while the roller 42 is formed integrally withthe lower shaft 37.- As

' integrally with the roller, such tapered end portion being ofassistance with respect to holding the rollers in their operativeclamping positions sitioning the device upon a can.

' As-shown in Fig. 6, the bearing member 20 is and particularly ofassistance with respect to poprovided with an oil duct 46, extendingbetweenthe opening 32 for the shaft 3'3 and the face of the transversegroove 21 in which the drum 22 is revolubly mounted, a second duct 47leading from the duct 46 to the face of said bearing member. The M22 islikewise provided with an oil duct 48, as shown in dotted lines in Figs.10 and 11, such duct 48 leading from the face of the opening 35- inwhich the shaft 36 is mounted to the face of the drum, being arranged soas to extend obliquely downwardly in the position of the drum as shownin said two figures. As will be readily understood, when the lever 34 isswung upwardly and toward the left from the position as shown in Fig. 1to the position as shown in Fig. 2, the duct 48 is swung intosubstantially vertical position. Asa result of this arrangement, any oilwhich may be brought into contact with the lower end of the" duct 48 inthe position of the parts as shown in Fig. 1 has a tendency to passdownwardly through the duct to the shaft 36 when the parts are swung tothe position as shown insaid Fig. 2.

With the parts all assembled inthe condition as shown in Fig. l, andwith the lever 34 in its lowered positiona's shown in said figure, thedevice is' ready for application. upon the bead of a can. The rotarycutter or knife 44 is first hooked over the top of the bead of a' can,as for example the bead 49 of the can 50 as shown in Fig. 15, with theroller 41 engaging the upper edge ofthe bead at its inner face, and withthe tapered end portion will e t d from 2 thab, w the p hot, springmeans at least partially surrounding.

45 of the roller 42substantially against the outer face of the wall ofthe can below the bead. With the device held in such positionjthe lever34 is then swung upwardly and forwardly away from the handle 30 forrotating the eccentricbearing block 22' and swinging the shaft 36downwardly toward the shaft 3'7, as shown in Fig, 4, into changedangular position with respect to-said shaft 37 and causing the rollers41 and42 to grip the bead 49 in approximately the position as shown inFig. 15. With the parts in this position, the grip of the rollers uponthe can issuch that the can and its contents can be very readily liftedand handled through the medium of the handle 30 of the .device. Thearrangement issuch that upon subsequent turning of the shaft, 36 throughthe medium of the crank 40 and the turning of the shaft 37 at the samethrough themedium or the intermeshing gears 38and 39, the rollers ingripping engagement with the bead' cause the can to rotatewith'respecttojthe device. Upon such rotarymovement of the can, therotary cutter 44 which at the same timeis being rotated with theshaft36cuts tholid 511mm the can so as to enable the lid to be removed, thecutting being effected at the inner face of the bead 'at about its loweredge. Inasmuch as-the rotary cutter has a slightly greater-surface speedthan that of the roller 41, a true cutting eil'ect-is, attained asdistinguished mm either a tearing effect or a scratching or illingeifectThe rotary cutter 44 is of such shape and ispresented at such an angleas to cut the sheet metal cleanlywithout any appreciablescraping action,As aresultthe cutting operation is eflfected withoutthe removal of anyparticles of metal such as would be likely to drop into and mix with thecontents of the can.

The spring frame member 23 is of such shape and size. as to hold thegripping rollers and cooperating parts in operative position upon a canwhen the lever 34 is swung to the position. as shown in Fig.2corresponding to theposition of the parts as shown'in Fig. 4. Thearrangement is such that if the bead of acan' vhapp s tovary from thenormal size, the spring framefmember 23 is adapted to yieldsuflicientlyiforpermitting the rollers to be clamped into operative.position on the can bead. The arrangementsuch that the rollers areadapted'to'. yield outwardly with respect to each other to permit readypassage of the seam of the can without loosening the gripping engagementof the rollers with thebead. With the parts arranged in the relativeposition as shown and as above described, the rollers 41 and 42 with theassistanceof the adjacent coopcrating parts are adapted to assumetheir'normal operative position upon the bead of. a. can upon theoperative swinging movement ofthe lever 34 even though the deviceisappliedinitially upon the can bead in other than normal position, aresult, an operator is enabled to applyth'e device quickly and easily inoperative position upon a can without too much care with respect toplacing the device in precisely its normal operative position. Thearrangement of the shafts 36 and'37, in their respective openings orbearings 35 and 32, and the can bead gripping rollers is such that, uponapplication of the device to a can and during the cutting operation, thegripping rollers tendalways to increase their effective hold or grip onthe can head, the cutter, under such conditions, also tending to workits way into its maximum deep cut ting position. In the normaloperationof the device, the cutter 44 turns cou'nter-eclockwise. It

in operativeposition, the cutter is positioned well ahead of the roller42, with respect to the uncut portion of the can top; As the crank isturned,

therefore, the device tends to tilton the can in agdirectionto causethecutter to work into and remain in its deepest cutting position. Thereis,

therefore, no tendency for the device to climb orwork oi the can headonce it is applied thereto.

The arrangement is such that at about the end of the cutting operationthe-lid '51 is caused to rise slightly above the adjacent bead 49, insubstantially the manner shown in Figs' 12 and 13.

This resultis attained by the pressure of the device upon the .lid 51 inrear of the tongue 52 by which the lid,51 is held in position at aboutthe end offthe cutting operation as shown in said Fig. 12. With thepressure being applied at the right of the tongue 52 as shown in saidfigure, the lid 51 is given a tilting movement serving to twist thetongue 52' and causing the left-hand edge of the lid to move upwardlycorresponding to the downward movement oi the opposite edge portionupoh'whichthe downward pressure is,

applied by the device. The'operator can accordingly' grasp the lid whenit is projectedthus above the bead if he so desires for preventing thelid from falling into the can when completely severed.

By the use of my opening 35 through the drum 22 for the shaft '36 isdisposedeccentrically with respect to the axis of the drum and in whichthehandle 30 is connected rigidly with the bearing member 20 formanipulating the device and the can'rigidly connected therewith, I haveprovided a very compact and simple arrangement which can be producedreadily and cheaply andwhich is very ef fective for attaining thedesired results By arranging the opening 35 soas to be in substantiallyconcentric position with respect to the axis or the drum at one side ofthe-device and in eccentric position: with respect to said axis attheopposite "side .of the device, Lam assured that the-gears 38 and 39shall remain constantly in mesh in all changed positions of the parts.-This construction, in. which the.

arrangement adds much to the smoothness and ease'of operation.

By the use of the groove 24 in the outer face of the M22 in position tocooperate with the rib 25 extending circumferentially of the circulargroove 21 in the bearing member 20, with the drum 22 and bearing member20 normally held yieldingly in position by the spring loop 23, I haveprovided for a very easy and convenient assembly of the parts, thebearing member 20 being movable readily in transverse direction into or'out of the loopv upon application of proper pressure thereon. The.arrangement is such that the rib :25 isnormally held in engagement withthe groove 24 with suillcient force, to prevent acci-,.

dental disengagement therewith, serving thus to hold thepartsefiectively in assembled condition. ,'While I prefer to employ the formof device as shown in my drawings and as above described, it will beunderstood that my inventionris not limited thereto except so faras theclaims may said members for holding said members yieldingly in operativerelation to each other, a handle connected with said first named bearingmember for supporting the device in. operative position with respect toa can, means for giving said second bearing member a rotary movement,oppositely disposed shafts revolubly mounted in said bearing membersrespectively, means operatively connecting said shafts, the shaft insaid second bearing member being in oblique position therein wherebyupon rotation of said bearing member one end of said shaft is movedtoward and from the other-shaft, means carried by said shafts forgripping a can when said shafts are moved into cooperative relation andfor cutting the top out of the can upon subsequent rotation of a se--vlected one of said shafts, and means for rotating said selected shaft,

2. Ina can opener, the combination of a bear,- ing member, a secondbearing member revolubly mounted adjacent said first named bearingmember, spring means at least partially surrounding said members forholding said members yieldingly in operative relation to each other, ahandle connectedwith said first named bearing member for supporting thedevice in operative position with respecttoa can, a lever for givingsaid second bearing member a rotary movement, oppositely disposed shaftsrevolubly mounted in said bearing members respectively, gearsoperatively connecting said shafts, the shaft in said second bearingmember being positioned at an angle with respect to the axis of saidmember whereby upon rotation of said member one end of said shaft isswung angularly toward and from the other shaft, means carried by-saidshafts for gripping a can when said shafts are moved into cooperativerelation and for cutting the top out of the can upon subsequent rotationof a selected one of said shafts, and means for rotating said selectedshaft.

3. In a can opener, the combination of a spring loop, two bearingmembers held in operative relation to each other by said loop with onebearing member rotatable with respect to the other, a handle connectedwith said other bearing member for supporting the device in operativeposition with respect to a can, means adapted by movement in oppositedirections to give said one bearing member a rotary movement, oppositelydisposed shafts revolubly mounted in said bearing members respectivelywith the shaft in said one bearing member in eccentric position thereinwhereby upon rotation of said bearing member said shaft is moved towardand from the other shaft, means carried by said shafts for gripping acan when said shafts are moved into cooperative relation and for cuttingthe top from the can upon subsequent rotation of a selected one of saidshafts, and means for rotating said selected shaft.

4. In a can opener, the combination of a hearing member having a roundedgroove transversely across its top face, a second bearing memberrevolubly mounted in said groove, means for holding said second bearingmember yieldingly in position in said groove, a handle connected withsaid first named bearing member for supporting the device in operativeposition with respect to a can, means adapted by movement in oppositedirections to give said second bearing member a rotary movement,oppositely disposed shafts revolubly mounted in said bearing membersrespectively with the shaft in said second bearing member in eccentricposition therein whereby upon rotation of said bearing member said shaftis moved toward and from the other shaft, means carried by said shaftsfor gripping a can when said shafts are moved into cooperative relationand for cutting the top from the can upon subsequent rotation of aselected one of said shafts, and meants for rotating said selectedshaft.

5. In a can opener, the combination of two oppositely disposedtransversely extending bearingmembers, a stiff spring frame membersupporting one of said bearing members revolubly in operative positionwith respect to the other bearing member by engagement with said bearingmembers throughout substantially their full length transversely of theopener and adapted to yield under heavy pressure for permitting onemember to move outwardly with respect to the other, a handle rigidlyconnected with said other bearing member for supporting the opener inoperative. position with respect to a can for application thereto,oppositely disposed shafts revolubly mounted in said bearing membersrespectively with the shaft in said one bearing member ineccentricposition therein whereby upon rotation of said bearing member said shaftis moved toward,and from the other shaft, means for giv ing said onebearing member a rotary movement, means carried by said shafts forgripping the bead of a can when said shafts are moved toward each otherand serving to hold said shafts in oblique position extending downwardlyand inwardly with respect to the can, means for rotatingsaid shafts forcausing the gripped can to revolve with respect to the opener, and arotary cutter carried by the upper one of said two shafts adapted uponrotation of the can to cut the top from the can inside of the bead.

6. In a can opener, the combination of abearing member having a roundedgroove transversely across its top face. a second bearing memberrevolubly mounted in said groove, a spring loop substantiallysurrounding said bearing member serving to hold said second memberyieldingly in position in said groove, handle means connected with saidfirst named bearing member for supporting the device in operativeposition with re spect to a can, a lever adapted by strokes in oppositedirections to give said second bearing member a rotary movement,oppositely disposed shafts revolubly mounted in said bearing members re-"'spectively with the shaft in said second bearing member in eccentricposition therein whereby upon rotation of said bearing member said shaftis moved toward and from the other shaft, means carried by said shaftsfor gripping a can when said shafts are moved into cooperative relationand for cutting the top from the can upon subsequent rotation of aselected one of said shafts, and means for rotating said selected shaft.

7. In a can opener, the combination of a bearing member having a roundedgroove transversely across its top face, a socket member rigidlyconnected with said member with a notch between the bearing member andthe socket member at the top face alongside of said rounded groove, asecond 'bearing member in the form of a drum revolubly mounted in saidrounded groove, 2. spring loop substantially surrounding said bearingmembers with its upper end extending downwardly into said notch andserving to hold said second bearing member .yieldingly in position insaid groove, a handle secured in said socket member for supporting thedevice in operative posi-' bearing members respectively with the shaftin said second bearing member in eccentric position therein whereby uponrotation of said bearing member said shaft is moved toward and from theother shaft, means carried by said shafts for gripping a can when saidshafts are moved into cooperative relation and for. cutting the top fromthe can upon subsequent rotation of a selected one of said shafts, andmeans for rotating said selected shaft.

8. In a can opener, the combination of a bearing member having a roundedgroove transversely said notch andserving to hold said second bearingmember yieldingly in position in said groove, said socket member havinga socket therein ex tending, in substantially-right angular positionwith respect to said notch and groove and having a longitudinallyextending rib atone side therein, a handle having. adriving fit in saidsocket and held by said ribfrom rotation with respect to the socketserving to support the device in operative position with respect to acan, means adapted by movement in opposite directions to give saidsecond bearing member a rotary movement, oppositely disposed shaftsrevolubly mounted in said bearing members respectively with the shaft insaid second bearing member in eccentric position therein whereby uponrotation of said bearing member said shaft is moved toward and from theother shaft, means carried by said shafts for gripping acan when saidshafts are moved intb cooperative relation and for cutting the top fromthe can upon subsequentrotation of a selected one of said shafts, andmeans'for rotating said selected shaft.

9. In a can openenthe combination of a bearing member having a socket, asecond bearing member revolubly mounted adjacent said first namedbearing member, spring means at least partially surrounding said membersfor holding them yieldingly in operative relation, to each other, saidsocket having a longitudinally extending rib at one side thereof, ahandle havinga driving flt in said socket and held by said rib fromrotation with respect to the socket and serving to support the device inoperative position with respect to a can, means for giving said secondbearing member a notary movement, op-

positely disposed shafts revolubly mounted in said bearing membersrespectively with the shaft in said second bearing member in eccentricposition therein whereby upon rotation of said bearing member said shaftis moved toward and from the other shaft, means carried by said shaftsfor gripping a can when said shafts are moved into cooperative relationand for cutting the top from the can uponsubsequent rotation of aselected one of said shafts, and means for rotating said selected shaft.i

10. In a can opener, the combination of a bearing member, a secondbearing member revolubly mounted adjacent said firstnamed bearing mem-'ber, means for holding said members yieldingly in operative relation toeach other, a handle connected with said first named bearing memher andstanding in substantially radial position with respect to said secondbearing member, a lever in the form of a channel rigidly connected withsaid second bearing member for giving said member a rotary movement andarranged for swinging downwardly about said handle, oppositelydisposedshafts revolubly mounted in said bearing members respectively,with the shaft in said second bearing member in eccentric positiontherein whereby upon rotation of said bearing member said shaft is movedtoward and from the gripping a can when said shafts are moved intocooperative relation and for cutting the top from the can uponsubsequent rotation of a selected one of said shafts, and means forrotating said selected shaft.

11. In a can opener, the combination of a spring loop, two bearingmembers held ,in operative re.- lation to each other bysaid loop withone bearing member rotatable with respect to the other, supporting meansconnected with said other bearing member, a lever connected with saidrotatable bearing member by parts located at opposite sides of saidspring loop for giving said member a rotary movement, means effectivelyholding said bearing members from movement transversely of the devicewith respect to each other and out of said spring loop, oppositelydisposed shafts revolubly mounted in said bearing members respectivelywith the shaft in said second bearing member in eccentric positiontherein whereby upon rotation of said bearing member said shaft is movedtoward and from the other shaft, means carried by said shafts forgripping a can when said shafts are moved into cooperative relation andfor cutting the top from the can upon subsequent rotation of a selectedone of said shafts, and means for rotating said selected shaft.

12. In a can opener, the combination of-a springloop, two bearingmembers held in operative relation to each other by said loop with onebearing member rotatable with respectto the other, supporting meansconnected with said other bearing member, means adapted by movement inopposite directions to give said one bearing member a rotary movement, acircumferential rib on one of said bearing members engaging acircumferential groove in the face of the other bearing member forholding said bearing members norshafts revolubly mounted in said bearingmemother shaft, means carried by said shafts for bers respectively withthe shaft in said second bearing member in eccentric position thereinwhereby upon rotation of said bearing member said shaft is moved towardandfrom the other shaft, means carried by said shafts for gripping a canwhen said shafts aremoved into cooperative relation and for cutting thetop from the can upon subsequent rotation of a selected one of saidshafts, and means for rotating said selected shaft.

I 13. In a can opener, the combination of a bearing member having arounded groove transversely across its top face, a second bearing memberrevolubly mounted in said groove, a spring loop "substantiallysurrounding said bearing members said first named bearing member inposition to engagea circumferential groove in the. face yo verselyacrossits ton ;fa oe,i 'a secondlbearing member irevolublymounted insaid groove, a j

rememb s S ha o df i m r' yieldingly; reposition,

- said roove, supporting means-"connected with said first named bearingmember', means mounted on said second bearing member by connecting;parts locatedat opposite sides dr; said spring *loop, 1 forj 'giving.said member 30 namedbearin'gmember providing extended bearing for saidsecond bearing" member beyond "one sidee'dge'rat-said spring loop,oppositely dis- 1 posed. shafts/revolublygmounted in said bearing'membersilrespeotively'fwith thejshaft in said- 'aringilmember ,ineccentric position ayrot'ary movementi an abutment on said first 1 11therein ,whereby :uponQ rotation of said bearing member-said shaftis-g'm'oved toward and from the otherl'fshaft'i, means =--=carried bysaid shafts .-for' gripping {$2 65!} when said shafts are moved intocooperative relationand for cutting the top from the canjeuponsubsequent rotation of a selected one off'saidfishaftsiandjmeans forrotating said facan fpener, the combination of a.v bearing member, a'second'bearing member revolubly mounted in a bearing groove in saidfirst named bearing member, means for holding said members yieldingly inoperative relation to each other, supporting means connected with saidfirst named bearing member, means for giving said second bearing membera rotary movement, oppositely disposed shafts revolubly mounted in saidbearing members respectively with the shaft in said second bearingmember in eccentric position therein whereby upon rotation of said.

a second duct leading from said first named duct to the outer face ofthe member, and said second bearing. member having aduct leading'fromthe shaft therein to its face bearing on said first,

, bearing member for permitting oil placedin the second duct to reachthe bearings for said shafts v xbrin'grsaid shafts into cooperativeworking posi- ,tiori,,means can'ied by said shafts for grippingai'eanijwhensaid shafts are moved into working .position 'andra cutteron one of said shafts for ''cutting thejtop from the can upon subsequentot'at' n ;of"a fselected one of said shafts, and

1-7. In a can opener, the combination of 'a transversely positionedbearing member, a second bearing member located alongside of said' firstnamed bearing member and revolubly about an axis extending. transverselyof the opener,

, means for holding said bearing members in operative relation to eachother and adapted to yield under heavy pressure for a slight movement ofsaid second bearing member in the direction away from said first namedbearing member, a handle connected with said first named bearing memberfor supporting the opener manually in position forappllcation to a can,a shaft revolubly mounted in said first named bearing membertransversely of the opener, a second transversely extending shaftrevolubly mounted in said second bearing member in eccentric positionwith respect to the axis of said member, means comprising a rotarycutter and a roller mounted on one of said shafts so as to rotatetherewith in a plane extending longitudinally of the opener, a rollerfixedly mounted on the other of said' shafts substantially opposite saidfirst named roller and cutter so as to rotate with said other shaft in asecond longitudinally extending plane, means for rotating said secondbearing member for moving-said second shaft toward said first namedshaft for bringing the rollers into cooperative gripping position on thebead of a can and for bringing the cutter into operative position forcutting. the top from the can inside a r of the bead, and meansconnected with one of said shafts for rotating the shaft serving throughthe action of said rollers on the gripped head of the can to revolve thecan for effecting saidcutting operation, said shafts being so arrangedthat the cutter is positioned ahead of the roller on the other shaftwith respect to the uncut portion of the can top during operation of thedevice. a

18. In a can opener, the combination of a transversely positionedbearing member, a second bearing member located alongside of said firstnamed bearing member and revoluble about an axis extending transverselyof the opener, means for holding said bearing members inoperativerelation to each other and adapted to yield under heavy pressure for aslight movement of said second bearing member in the direction away fromsaid first named bearing member, a handle connected with said firstnamed bearing member for supporting the opener manually in position forapplication to a can, a shaft revolubly mounted in said first namedbearing member transversely of the opener, a second shaft revolublymounted in said second bearing member upon'a transversely extending axissubstantially coincident with the axis of said member at.

one side of the opener but substantially eccentric with respect to saidaxis at the opposite side of the opener, means comprising a rotarycutter and a roller at the side of the openerat which said axes areeccentricwith respect to each other mounted on one .ofsaid shafts so asto rotate Y therewith in a 'plane extending longitudinally of theopener, a roller fixedly mounted on the other of said shaftssubstantially opposite said first named roller and cutter so as torotate with said other shaft in a second longitudinally extending plane,means for rotating said second bearing member for moving said second 1shaft toward said first named shaft for bringing with one of said shaftsfor rotating-the shaft serving through the action of said rollers on thegripped bead of the can to revolve the can for effecting said cuttingoperation, s'aid"shafts being so arranged that theoutteris positioned;

ahead of the roller on the other; shaft with respect to the uncutportion of the can top during oration of the device,

19. In a can opener, the combination of a hear? ing member having arounded groove transverse 1y across its top face, a second bearingmember-i revolubly mounted in said groove, means for holding said secondbearing member. yieldingly in position in said groove, a shaftrevolubly35,;-

mounted in said first named bearing block trans- ,versely thereof belowsaid rounded groove, .a

second ishaft revolubly mounted in said second st inaz'nedgshaft,intermeshing gears on said s forfca us'ing them to rotate in unison, op-

positely disposed rollers on said shafts, 'a rotary cuttercarried by oneof said shafts adjacent to the*roller thereon, means for rotating one ofsaid shafts, a handle member connected with said first named bearingmember and extending therefrom in angular position with respect to saidshafts for-supporting said "rollers and cutter in operativerelation, anda lever connected with said second bearing member for rotating it, the

311118, member transversely thereof above said.

shaft in said first named bearing member being positioned at an anglewith respect to the axis of its bearing-member, the arrangement beingsuch that upon rotation of said second bearing member the shafts may bebrought into cooperative working relation and said rollers brought intooperative gripping position on the head of a can and that uponsubsequent rotation of said shafts the gripped can is rotated forcausing the cutter to cut the top from the can along a line inside ofthe bead. Y

20. In 'a can opener, the combination of a bearing member having arounded groove transversely across its top face, a second bearing memberrevolubly mounted in said groove, means for holding said second bearingmember yieldingly in position in said groove, a shaft revolubly mountedin said first named bearing block transverselythereof below saidroundedgroove, a second shaft revolubly mounted in said second bearingmember transversely thereof above said first named shaft,intermeshing'gears on said shafts for causing them to'rotate in unison,oppositely disposed rollers on said shafts, 'a rotary cutter carried byoneof said shafts adjacent to the -roller th e reon, fmeahs' forrotating one of said shaft's, a -handle; member 3 connected with saidfirst named.=,bearing member and extending therefrom" inangularfposition with respect to 1' said shafts for supporting saidrollers and cutter inoperative relation, and a lever connected with saidsecond bearing member for rotating it, each shaft being in substantiallycentered position at V one side and in eccentric position at the otherside of its bearing member, said shafts being so arranged that theydiverge from each other when viewed in plan and converge toward eachother when viewed in side elevation at the gripping and cutting meanswhereby upon rotation of said second bearing member the shaft carriedthereby is swung angularly with respect to the

